Below are some new photos from Linton Locks site last week. Progress is well underway by the new contractors with most of the concrete works in place.

Above is the plan layout and below you can now start to recognise the features from the plan.

Above shows the inlet channel from the river, you can make out the recesses where the hydraulic ramp will be installed in the next few weeks. The steel piles to the left will form the outside of the first pool.

Above shows the exit weir structures for the top 2 pools, steel channels are built into the concrete to allow for the fitting of plastic rapid blocks to allow the features to be altered from time to time. The scale of the structures can now be seen looking at the people and the large digger in the background.

Above shows the bridge to the hydro plant, this has all been excavated underneath now.

Above shows the end of the course, the yellow paint shows the area that will be excavated to form a beach to allow easy exit. This will also allow access to the lower pool for beginners.

Above is a photo looking from above the first pool.

Above is the lower fish pass.

I believe for our region this is going to be a great addition and will allow for paddling all year round and could also host events such as slaloms etc. As a regional club we have the possibility to become more involved in the management and running of Linton, more information will be available at our AGM in November.

Pontefract pool sessions will resume this Thursday 6th September. Sessions have been booked for the next 6 week, after this we will evaluate the feasibility of continuing the session.

Before summer the Pontefract pool sessions had been losing money on almost every session and we’re sure as a club you can understand that we can’t sustain this loss.

In order to keep the sessions in the future we have to ensure enough members attend to allow us to at least break even.

Please try to attend the sessions and help keep the Thursday nights feasible.

Unfortunately the lake has been closed this morning due to Toxic Algae after water tests today.

We will look to provide an alternative paddle on a local river for competent paddlers.

Please see our Facebook page for further details.

Alternatively Greenstar Canoe Club has a beginners slalom and have a go session event today at there lake at Hatfield Water Park. Please see Greenstar Canoe Club on Facebook for further details.

We apologise for the short notice and any inconvenience caused but we have only been informed this morning ourselves.

I attended a meeting a couple of weeks ago regarding the progress at Linton Locks. Unfortunately there had been very little progress since the last time I visited the site several months ago.

The main reason appeared to be issues with the current contractors not really moving forward with the job. It was stated at the meeting that the old contractors were being removed from site and a new contractor starting immediately. The new contractor had stated that they would expect to have most of the work complete around the end of September and ready for testing however we felt this would be more like the end of October realistically before we saw any water down the course.

I called into site today to have a look at progress and it does appear there has been a lot more work completed in the last few weeks than the last few months previously. The main inlet channel is now formed as well as several large concrete structures in the base of the first pool, it is now possible to see how deep the pools will be.

The hydraulic gate is not on site but is being manufactured at the moment and should be on site shortly hopefully.

During the coming months the payment scheme will be decided upon but the idea is a fee pay car on site.

Main infeed channel from river.

First Pool

More updates to follow in the next few weeks hopefully.

Good news guys – this weeks Pugneys session is now back on as we have managed to find cover.

Normal times – We have booked the sun again as well.

Looks like we are back in business this Saturday, we have managed to get cover for the session so back on as normal.

12.30pm at the container for 1pm on the water.

Normal sessions next week onwards.

Unfortunately due to no cover this Saturday we are having to cancel the Pugneys session.

Sorry about this but we cant run the session unless we have adequate cover or we run the risk of loosing the use of the lake.

We could look at running a session at Pugneys on Sunday morning if there was enough interest or we could look at a local river trip.

Please let us know if you would be interested in either of the above via feedback here or on Facebook and we will look to organise something.

Good evening, summer is upon us and we have some changes to pool sessions:

Pontefract has been low on numbers for the last few weeks with the club having to support the sessions so we have taken the decision to close Pontefract for the summer with the last session being this Thursday 26th with a planned return on Thursday 6th September.

Batley is running well at the moment with the cadets making up numbers so Batley Friday sessions will continue throughout the summer. All participants from Pontefract are welcome to come along to the sessions at Batley.

We will look to run some local beginners river trips on Thursday nights if members are interested.

Pugneys sessions are running well with a wide range of people attending including several new members who are attending due to the closure of Pugneys lake to the general public.

We have had a few sessions where we have had a few stand up paddle boards and this has gone down well also.

West Yorkshire Canoe Club’s annual Washburn event is fast approaching.

This is a chance for members to paddle one of Yorkshires best whitewater river runs. This is a dam release so the water level is guaranteed however little rain we have had.

Any club members who have a few hours spare on the day will be welcome to come along and lend a hand throughout the day.

The river is fast flowing grade 2/3 so not suitable for novices but any members who feel they would like to paddle please have a chat with a member of the committee to ensure suitability.